Youth Euros 2022: Day one – Three from four Three Lions progress

A hat-trick of evening session victories saw England’s boxers bounce back from early disappointment to ensure a largely successful first day of the EUBC Youth European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Things did not go to plan in the Three Lions’ opening bout as Lewis Lawton lost out on a 4-1 split to Turkey’s Kagan Kanli.

But the team came roaring back with successes for Lauren Mackie, Owen Ketley and Luke Turner to make it three wins from four.

Burton Park’s Mackie, boxing at Under 52kg was always on the front foot against Ireland’s Margaret Lambe and never looked back after securing the opening round by a 4-1 score.

Using her speed and movement to get inside the reach of her taller opponent, she began to land more and more combinations and won the second round unanimously, and be a 10-8 margin on three of the judges’ scorecards.

She also won the last round unanimously to clinch a convincing unanimous victory.

Also advancing was Lionheart’s Ketley, who excelled throughout his bout with Ireland’s Shane Ryan to win every round on all of the judges’ scorecards, with one of them scoring it 30-25.

The most emphatic win of the day, however, was Turner’s, with the Phoenix Fire boxer proving far too good for Armenian opponent Taron Sargsyan.

After getting his eye in during the first round, winning 10-9 across the board, he turned on the style in rounds two and three, sending his opponent to the canvas and winning both 10-8 for a 30-25 points decision all around.

All three boxers will no doubt face sterner test but can nevertheless be delighted with their opening performances.

In the earlier afternoon session, there was frustration for Lawton, who was made to pay for a difficult opening round in which he was knocked down and forced to take a standing eight count.

To his immense credit, he hit back strongly in the second round to take it 3-2 before losing the final round 4-1.

Friday schedule

Afternoon session (2pm start)

Ring B bout 5 (approx 3pm, 1pm UK time) – Mikie Tallon (red) v Vladyslav Kondratiuk (Ukraine, blue).

Ring A bout 8 (approx 3.45pm, 1.45pm UK time) – Simonas Zelenekas (Lithuania) v Osama Mohamed (blue).

Ring B bout 11 (approx 4.30pm, 2.30pm UK time) – Enriko Itauma (red) v Tariel Sharikadze (Georgia).

Evening session (6pm start)

Ring A bout 8 (approx 7.45pm, 5.45pm UK time) – Nelson Birchall (red) v Jason Nevin (Ireland, blue).

Ring B bout 8 (approx 7.45pm, 5.45pm UK time) – Luke Turner (red) v Gabrijel Debanic (Croatia).

Ring B bout 11 (approx 8.30pm, 6.30pm UK time) – Ewa Maksymowicz (Poland, red) v Ebony Jones (blue).